The World Bank will provide Ukraine with a $1.2 billion loan guaranteed by the Japanese government, the bank's press service reports.

The funds will be used to support 29 social assistance programs for "the most vulnerable population of Ukraine" under the Investing in Social Protection for Inclusion, Resilience and Efficiency (INSPIRE) project. 

The money will be used to support orphans, children in care, socially disadvantaged students, as well as victims of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster and human trafficking. 

"This project is expected to reach almost 10 million Ukrainians at the time of greatest need. It will strengthen the Ukrainian government's ability to provide social support to the poor and vulnerable at a critical time when winter is approaching and millions of Ukrainians need additional support to pay their bills and heat their homes," said Arup Banerjee, World Bank Regional Director for Eastern Europe.